Baptism: Part 3 - Full Immersion Only?

This is the third part of the series on Baptism. We've examined from a biblical perspective if Baptism does anything (Part 1) and how we are born again (part 2). If you’re just tuning in, the series begins with Baptism: Part 1 – Does it Save Us?

Full Immersion Only? What method(s) of Baptism are valid?

At Pentecost, when Peter preached the gospel, they asked, “what must we do to be saved” and Peter instructed the three thousand to be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2). Historians seem to doubt that there would have been no body of water in Jerusalem large enough for that many people to be baptized in, by way of full immersion, and even if there was, they suggest that they would not have let it be dirtied by three thousand unclean foreigners. Practically speaking, three thousand people would have needed to be baptized by way of pouring or sprinkling.

Some interpreters suggest that the word ‘baptism’ literally and exclusively means to ‘immerse’. However, in various places throughout the New Testament, baptism is used to describe actions such as washing dishes, and cleansing hands. The Jewish practice of washing hands was a very specific ritual to pour water over the hands in a prescribed sequence, and yet the Greek word “baptizo” is used to describe that action.

Does full immersion Baptism have the best symbolism of dying with Christ? Yes, undoubtedly, which is why it is the ideal method wherever possible. However, one can see that if this is taken to the extreme, it would mean that the Inuit natives who were surrounded by ice and snow wouldn’t be capable of baptizing, nor anyone who lived in the desert, or major city, absent of a body of water, not to mention those in prison, and physically disabled. If Baptism really does do something, and if it were only valid by way of full immersion, than whom God calls "the least of these" wouldn't be able to participate in it.

Many assume Jesus Himself was baptized by way of full immersion. However, historians admit that this may not have been the case. Firstly, due to the fact that the water level of the Jordan River at the time may not have even been deep enough to fully immerse. Secondly, an overabundance of early Christian art in the first couple of Centuries depicts Christ’s Baptism as Jesus standing in water that is ankle deep, while John the Baptist pours water on His head (as seen in the image above).

Certain religious groups use passages such as Matthew 3:16 as proof texts for full immersion, “And after Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove”. This passage states that Jesus came up from the water after He was baptized. If this was by full immersion, isn’t part of the sequence of Baptism to go down under the water, and then to come up? This leads us to another possible conclusion that He went down to the water, was baptized (perhaps by pouring), and then returned to the shore (“came up from the water”).

Lastly, Scripture uses words such as “sprinkle” to describe the cleansing that happens through Baptism:

“Let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water” (Hebrews 10:22).

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:25-27).

Jesus describes to His disciples that they will be “baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4–5), and when the Holy Spirit is given in numerous instances in the book of Acts, it was “poured out” (Acts 2:17, 18, 33). The Greek word “baptizo” utilized by the New Testament writers seems to have a more broad meaning, which includes “pouring” and is not exclusively defined as immersing.

If we look at this practice from a historical perspective, we get a glimpse of the understanding the first Christians had. The Didache (written before the New Testament was finished being written) instructs believers to:

"After first explaining all things, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in flowing water. But if you have no running water, baptize in other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, then in warm. If you have very little, pour water three times on the head in the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit"

Up next, Baptism: Part 4: Should Babies Be Baptized?